| |
Flamingos
The largest flocks of flamingos in North America are right here
in the wetlands of the Yucatan. The joy of seeing the salmon pink
masses of these elegant birds is a heartwarming experience and a
photographer's dream come true.
Once exclusive to the Ria Lagartos area, they changed their living
habits after the category 5 Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. After Gilbert,
colonies started to form in Celestun. Then they started appearing
by the hundreds in Uaymitun. Presently there are some 25,000 flamingos
in the Yucatan.
To see the flamingos in Ria Lagartos or Celestun, you have to take
a boat ride. To see them in Uaymitun, you can visit the lookout
tower that is right next to the road. Admission is free and the
caretakers will lend you some binoculars.
Flamingos are funny birds the way they stand around on one leg in
shallow water. To eat, they turn their heads upside down
and drag their beaks along the bottom, inhaling the mud that
contains the shrimp, fish and minerals that they eat. The minerals
give them their unique color. |
Above: flamingos take flight over a lagoon near Celestun in the
Yucatan.
Flamingos are nervous birds, so we ask that you don't scare them
or try to make them fly. If you are lucky enough, you'll get to
see them in natural flight early in the morning or at sunset. It's
quite a sight. Enjoy them in silence and take lots of pictures!
Read more about:
 Celestun
A readers Day Trip to Celestun
Transportation in the Yucatan
Beaches of the Yucatan
Vacation Rentals in the Yucatan
Real Estate Beach Homes
Visit our map:
Map of Yucatan Peninsula
Map of Celestun
|
